20% thought that Jesus was the name of a Premier League football player.
The study, by Brent Cross, also revealed half of 5 to 12 year-olds think the 25th December is Santa's birthday...
... And a quarter think the shepherds found Jesus's birthplace by using Google Maps.
The shopping centre asked 1,000 children to answer questions about Christmas, with a multiple choice of answers.
Other findings include:
- 1 in 10 believe Rudolph the Reindeer was present at the stable during the birth of Jesus
- 35% argue Jesus was born at the South Pole
- Almost 1 in 3 think Mary gave birth in a church
- 15% claim the Three Kings gave Jesus a wand, tiara and wings as gifts to celebrate his birth.
Those who didn't identify Jesus correctly, or think he was a Chelsea striker, answered the other options of 'X factor contestant' or 'astronaut'.
The shopping centre has now said it will try and do more to increase young people's knowledge of the nativity story.
Children will be quizzed while queuing to visit Santa's grotto, to discover how much they know about the true meaning of Christmas.
Katie Tucker, Marketing Manager at Brent Cross, said: "With children looking forward to the festive season the whole year round, we wanted to ensure the true meaning of celebration was understood.
"Hopefully, by proving to the kids at Brent Cross that Jesus Christ isn't a footballer they will fully appreciate the season of celebration and enjoy it even more."